How to Choose a Shower Curtain Rod?

MOUNTING: Shower curtain rods are available in two mounting styles: tension and permanent. Deciding between mounting options comes down to the type of wall in your bathroom. For tiled shower walls, you need a tension shower curtain rod because it secures in place without drilling into the walls. By contrast, if your bath or shower is flanked with drywall, you can use a tension rod or opt for a permanent wall-mounted shower curtain rod to hold your curtain and liner in place.

SHAPE: Once you determine the best mounting mechanism for your shower rod, it's time to narrow down the search by considering the shape. Shower rods come in four main shapes to cater to various needs: straight, curved, D-shaped or L-shaped. Straight shower rods are a solid option for a standard shower or bath stall, while a curved rod is ideal for small showers as it creates more space for you to move about. D-shaped rods are an elegant, ceiling-mounted variation and are the go-to option for free-standing tubs; L-shaped rods shroud cozy corner stalls in privacy.

FINISH: Finally, the fun part: choosing the best shower curtain finish for your space. Shower curtain rods are available in all the popular metallic finishes including brass, gold, polished nickel, brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze and chrome. Other sought-after options include matte black, cream and white. Our advice? Use your bathroom design style as your muse to select the perfect finish for you. Timeless gold, brass, chrome or polished nickel shower curtain rods are failproof picks for traditional, transitional and contemporary bathrooms, while matte black or inky, oil-rubbed bronze are fitting additions to modern and farmhouse spaces.